A HEARTBROKEN man has told of his devastation after thieves targeted his father's grave.

The yobs stole football memorabilia and a photograph of Leslie Catherall's father from Bryn Road Cemetery.

The 50-year-old Connah's Quay resident had visited the cemetery to tend his parents' graves when he discovered the items missing.

'We had an Everton flag, teddy bear and picture of my father in the centre and they have all been stolen. I was devastated,' said Mr Catherall, a cleaning supervisor at Hawarden High School.

His father, also called Leslie, was a sergeant with the Royal Welch Fusiliers and a Normandy veteran. A respected member of the community, he died two years ago, aged 85.

'Like myself he was a life-long Everton fan; we used to go and watch matches together.

'He was buried with a teddy bear so we got another one to put on the side of the grave.'

Mr Catherall's mother, Hilda, who died 17 years ago, was awarded a gold badge for selling poppies for the Royal British Legion.

'They are buried together so it's not just an affront to my father, it's an affront to my mother too,' said Mr

Catherall. 'My father and mother fought the war for these people to do what they did. I still feel angry about it.'

Nothing like this has happened to the grave before, he said, but he had heard concerns about people taking and stashing drugs at the cemetery.

He said: 'It's a shame people can't die in peace. I also feel for the other people who have to go there and find these things.'

Mr Catherall is now calling for CCTV to be installed.

'Other than closing the cemetery gates early, which would not be fair on people who have loved ones buried there, it's the only solution I can think of. You can't patrol the place 24 hours a day,' he said.